Andy Murray is set to only play doubles at the Paris Olympics as his illustrious career draws to a close, while he has also addressed Emma Raducanu withdrawing from their Wimbledon partnership.
Two-time Olympic singles gold medalist Murray confirmed earlier this week that the French Games would be his “last-ever tennis tournament” as he prepares for retirement after more than 20 years in the sport.
However, the three-time Grand Slam winner is poised to focus solely on his men’s doubles pairing with fellow Briton Dan Evans in Paris.
Murray was forced to withdraw from the singles competition at Wimbledon earlier this month having undergone surgery to remove a spinal cyst that put his participation in one final SW19 swansong in serious doubt and forced an early exit from his last appearance at Queen’s Club.
He ended up competing in the men’s doubles, losing in the first round with brother Jamie before Centre Court staged an emotional tribute to Murray featuring tennis legends past and present.
It had been initially uncertain if Murray would be looking to compete in the singles event in Paris, but he has now confirmed that it’ll be doubles only.
Such a decision means that Murray’s last-ever singles match came in a short-lived meeting with Jordan Thompson at Queen’s in which he retired hurt trailing 4-1, having overcome Alexei Popyrin in three sets in the opening round.
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"I need to make that decision this evening but I don't think so,” Murray said on Wednesday after being asked if he was in shape to compete in the singles in Paris.
"Obviously me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that (doubles) was what we were going to prioritise.
"I think Dan is still going to play singles but last week he did a lot of doubles practice, that's what I was predominantly practising in training when I was in Greece and since we've been here, we've been practising and playing doubles sets together.
"That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best."
Murray had initially expected to finish his Wimbledon career in the mixed doubles, having announced a high-profile partnership with Emma Raducanu.
However, the 2021 women’s US Open winner ended up pulling out on the day of their first match due to wrist stiffness.
Such a decision was described on social media as “astonishing” by Murray’s mother Judy, who attracted criticism for a comment that she later insisted was sarcastic.
However, Murray has now come to her defence after addressing the unfortunate situation for the first time, insisting he was not “frustrated or bitter” about his Wimbledon career being brought to an unexpected early end by Raducanu’s decision.
"At that moment, everyone's really emotional because it's the end of me playing at Wimbledon," said Murray, who confirmed he had not spoken to Raducanu since Wimbledon.
"I'm aware there's a much bigger picture out there but she's my mum so she obviously cares a lot about me, and it's been a huge part of my career as well.
"What had happened in the 10 days in the build-up as well, I'd just had a surgery where I didn't know if I was going to get the opportunity to play.
"Everyone's emotions are obviously running high but my mum's obviously always going to support me and look out for my best interests. She's been the best supporter.
"What Wimbledon did was unbelievably nice, and getting to finish playing at Wimbledon on Centre Court with my brother was unbelievably special and something we'd never experienced during our careers.
"That obviously wasn't how I'd planned it or thought exactly what was going to happen but that's how it ended up. I'm not frustrated or bitter about it.
"Mentally I was preparing to play more matches but, when I reflect on that, it was right that I finished playing at Wimbledon with my brother and I'm really happy that was the end."
